Princess Cruises has refreshed one of its most reliable ships with new culinary energy, better space planning, and a clear eye on upcoming seasons. Fresh from a two-week dry dock in Oregon, Sapphire Princess welcomes two specialty venues that can shape your evenings, whether you cruise for food, relaxed sea days, or a memorable celebration at sea
Following a two-week Oregon dry dock, Sapphire Princess debuts Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill from 16 November. Each is a specialty venue priced at US$60 per person (approx. A$94) and included for Princess Premier guests, with updated layouts, improved service flow, chef-driven menus, and time-saving seating that benefit couples, families, and small groups planning relaxed, restaurant-quality evenings onboard.
What Changed During Dry Dock
Princess focused this refresh on evening choice and passenger flow, turning previously functional spaces into destination venues. The transformation is not just aesthetic; it affects how you plan sea days, time theatre shows, and move between lounges, bars, and restaurants. For returning guests, the changes will feel familiar yet more purposeful.
Makoto Ocean on Deck 7
Makoto Ocean replaces the former Internet Cafe on Deck 7 with Chef Makoto Okuwa’s Edomae-style approach to sushi. The shift from a pass-through area to a culinary stop instantly changes the energy on that deck, encouraging guests to linger for a considered meal rather than race to the next activity. Expect a tight, technique-forward menu that keeps focus on balance and clean flavour.
Crown Grill on Deck 5
Crown Grill steps into the space formerly known as the Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5. The new home gives the steakhouse a stronger presence and easier wayfinding, which is handy for first-time Princess cruisers. With premium aged beef, chops, and fresh seafood, the venue reads as a confident classic, the kind of place multigenerational groups can agree on without debate.
Why the Layout Matters
Refits succeed when they reduce friction, and these moves do exactly that. Concentrating two high-demand venues on well-trafficked decks simplifies your pre- and post-dinner paths, which in turn eases service cadence and table turnover. The result is shorter waits, better pacing between courses, and a calmer feel across the early and late seating waves.
How the New Dining Works for Travellers
The updates are paired with straightforward pricing and package logic, so you can plan a specialty night without second-guessing the bill. For food-minded travellers, the mix of a chef-driven Japanese concept and a classic steakhouse gives you contrast across a week or longer itinerary. It is a variety with a plan, not a scatter of overlapping menus.
Pricing and Packages
Both Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill are priced at US$60 per person (approx. A$94). If you hold Princess Premier, that charge is included, which is compelling if you anticipate at least two specialty dinners in a typical seven to fourteen-night voyage. Even without a package, the clarity helps with budgeting, since you can reserve signature evenings around embarkation, formal nights, or scenic cruising days.
Menus That Earn a Second Visit
Makoto Ocean leans into Edomae traditions, the kind that highlight the rice, the cut, and the seasoning rather than over-garnishing. Dishes like truffle salmon, snow crab temaki, and toro tartare reward a slow pace and pair well with lighter cocktails such as the Genmai Negroni. At Crown Grill, quality cuts and simple seafood preparations mean the kitchen can focus on doneness, texture, and portion balance, a formula that holds up across repeat visits.
Service Flow and Seating
By giving Crown Grill the larger, purpose-built room on Deck 5 and carving a destination out of Deck 7 for Makoto Ocean, Princess has improved movement for servers and guests alike. That translates to fewer bottlenecks at peak times and more two-top and four-top options for couples and families. In practice, you can dine earlier before a show or later after sail-away without feeling rushed.
Where Sapphire Princess Is Headed Next
A refresh lands best when the itineraries are worth lingering over, and Sapphire Princess has a busy calendar ahead. The ship sails to Mexico, then repositions for South America and Antarctica, with a broader brand signal pointing to a dual-ship Japan deployment in 2027. For travellers, that means sunlight, scenery, and plenty of reason to make dinner a central part of the day.
Mexico Season Highlights
Mexico works brilliantly for guests who want warm weather and easy access from pier to town, beach, or historic centre. Days can run long ashore with tacos and mezcal tastings, so returning to Makoto Ocean for a lighter dinner is a smart reset. On sea days, Crown Grill feels like a reward, especially if you book a later seating after sunset cocktails.
South America to Antarctica
South America gives you big-city energy mixed with coastal culture and wildlife-rich fjords, a combination that benefits from having both comfort and contrast at dinner. Crown Grill delivers comfort with familiar cuts and hearty sides. Makoto Ocean provides contrast through citrus, umami, and clean textures that keep longer voyages feeling fresh rather than heavy.
South America to Antarctica
Princess has flagged a historic dual-ship deployment in Japan in 2027, which dovetails neatly with a credible, chef-helmed Japanese venue onboard. Guests flying in from Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Singapore, Vancouver, or Los Angeles will recognise the authenticity in technique and pacing. That credibility makes the ship a stronger match for culture-curious travellers planning a return to Asia.
Tips to Get the Most From the Update
Planning around these venues can make a good itinerary even better. Think of specialty nights as anchors that help you structure sea days, show times, and early excursions. A little foresight with bookings and cabin placement goes a long way.
Plan Specialty Nights Early
If you hold Princess Premier, lock in one Crown Grill dinner early in the cruise to guarantee a celebratory night, then add Makoto Ocean around a scenic cruising day. Travellers without a package can still book strategically, focusing on evenings after port-intensive days to avoid the main dining rush. Either way, confirm times once you board and check the app for any additional availability.
Balance Sea Days and Shore Days
On port-heavy runs, aim for lighter dinners at Makoto after big lunches ashore, saving Crown Grill for sea days when you have time for a slower multi-course evening. On itineraries with fewer port calls, alternate the venues to keep menus fresh across a long voyage. Matching meal weight to daily energy is the simplest way to avoid palate fatigue.
Pick the Right Cabin Location
If you like a short walk to dinner, midship staterooms near Decks 5 and 7 make life easy. Families who settle kids early might prefer quieter corridors, a deck or two removed from evening hotspots. Either way, look at your planned dining times and choose cabins that minimise long walks in formal shoes.
If you are weighing a quick Mexico escape against a longer South America season, start with timing, school holidays, and your appetite for sea days. Sapphire Princess now rewards guests who enjoy shaping evenings around food, with layouts and service flow that cut down on queuing. That means more time for sunset photos, theatre, and nightcaps without watching the clock.
When you are ready to scan dates and compare itineraries by length, destination, and price window, use our Cruise Finder to filter options quickly. It is a straightforward way to turn ideas into a shortlist and see which departures align with your calendar and budget
Plan Your Sapphire Princess Cruise With an Adviser
A focused culinary refresh, clearer wayfinding, and itinerary momentum make Sapphire Princess a smart pick for the next year and beyond. If you want help matching stateroom location, dining plans, and sea-day pacing to your travel style, our team can compare dates, track promotions, and manage the fine print. When you are ready, message our cruise specialist, and get personalised help from a cruise adviser.
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